I like silver components because they look better with wear. This job used old stock Shimano hubs a customer found and mailed in for wheelbuilding. On one hand the hubs are showing their age, which is to say they’ve developed some patina. They look great. On the other hand I found a dented dustcover on the front hub, which prevented ideal adjustment. Nothing I haven’t seen before — I was able to repair the hub and finish the build. The rims are H Plus Son Archetypes in polished silver. These rims are a little bright but will wear to look just like the hubs. I recently compared box section polished rims but Archetypes are my jam. They’re lighter and stronger and look sweet.

But wait there’s more! This is another take on the same rim. I built this wheelset using lighter White Industries T11 hubs, fewer butted spokes and orange aluminum nipples.